Africa-Press – Namibia. Rundu residents and business owners have expressed concern that the town is being turned into a dumping site.
This is especially the case along the Maria Mwengere Road and Riverside, harming the local economy and tourism.
The residents called for serious intervention on Monday during the Rundu Town Council’s (RTC) Proposed Capital Projects Budget and Tariff Proposal Meeting for the 2025/26 financial year at the town’s Trade Fair Centre.
The total proposed capital budget for the RTC for the 2025/26 financial year is N$284 116 925.
The total approved capital budget for the 2024/25 financial year is N$245 995 825.
The proposed budget has increased by N$38 121 100.
Speaking during the meeting, local businessman Nanyemba Hafeni Katamba said Maria Mwengere Road is terribly dirty despite the RTC having placed a skip container there. He wanted to know if the town council had invested in public education.
“This road is one of the busiest roads in Rundu but also one of the filthiest. So, I’m interested to hear what the council’s plan is on this,” he questioned.
Another local business owner Faustinus Wakudumo claimed that the RTC does not collect refuse from informal settlements.
This situation has resulted in the riverside and other places around town being used as dumping grounds.
“That whole area from Ngandu Lodge towards Sarasungu River Lodge is filthy. It has been turned into a dumpster. How do you expect to attract tourists this way?” he questioned.
RTC’s strategic executive for community services Fransiska Kupembona said the RTC is faced with challenges in waste collection, as only one refuse truck is functional.
“The second truck is grounded due to mechanical issues. Currently, our concentration is in the formalised area. Council has awarded a tender to a private contractor, who renders refuse removal services in formalised areas,” she said.
In the informal areas, council does the collection themselves.
Kupembona stated that the council wanted to pilot service delivery in these areas. – Nampa
However, they were hindered by a lack of resources.
To address this, council has proposed a budget of N$800 000 to buy skip containers in the 2025/26 financial year.
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